Christmas is fast approaching and if you’re like me, outdoor gear has made its way onto your list. Over the summer, my husband and I were in the market for a new tent. We have a small ultra-light one for kayaking trips but needed something with a bit more room for regular camping. A friend recently invested in a Gazelle tent, so we took the plunge and got the Gazelle T4 Plus Hub Tent. With a tagline that boasts “from bag to assembled in seconds”, I was a little skeptical at first. A four to eight-person tent set up in less than 10 minutes? Seems too good to be true, right?
First Thoughts
When the tent was originally delivered, we decided to do a trial run at setting it up prior to taking it on a trip. First thing I noticed? This tent is heavy! It definitely is not a tent you are going to throw in your kayak or canoe and take on an overnight trip. It’s also not gonna be something you throw on your pack for backpacking. Not only does this tent weigh 56 pounds, but it also stands 63 inches tall when collapsed and packed up. It’s compact enough to fit in a car, but not compact enough for lightweight travel. The second thing is the footprint. This particular model can sleep up to eight people with room for gear. So we aren’t talking about that awkward shuffle of trying to dress hunched over or having to stay in your cot while your tent mate is moving around. For our first camping trip, we were able to fit two large cots and a small table in the main sleeping portion. In the screened porch area (which can be closed off to make a separate sleeping area), we fit two chairs with plenty of space to get out of the rain.
Features to Note
There are features galore in this tent! Starting with the removable floor. The entire 110 square ft of floor space comes off for easy cleaning. No more trying to sweep out debris or trying to vacuum that loose, wrinkled tent fabric. The one-hub design makes setting the tent up a breeze. No worrying about getting the right pole in the right place. There are actually only three loose poles in the whole tent, and those are pretty easy to install once you practice. Multiple pockets line the interior, so you have plenty of places to put those little items that you are constantly reaching for. Plus, two doors and massive windows for ventilation and easy in and out.
Overall Thoughts on the Gazelle T4 Plus Hub Tent
Overall, I’m really happy with this tent! My two biggest drawbacks are the weight and price point. This tent retails for almost $800, but Gazelle does run sales often, and currently, the price is under $600 for this particular model. On the flip side, Gazelle has great customer service and when you invest in well-designed and quality gear, you know it’s going to last. As far as weight goes, we weren’t looking for a backpacking tent. We wanted something with space to move and stand up fully to get dressed. So for each of my cons, I’ve got a pretty good counter-argument.
I’m looking forward to many more camping trips in the future with our Gazelle tent! And if this one seems a little big or extra for your tastes, Gazelle has several options in sizes and prices on their website gazelletents.com.
